Netherlands: An original investigation has concluded that patients of the age group 15 to 49 years have greater risk of cancer increased by 3- to 5-fold in the first year after Stroke than individuals without any history of Stroke.
The study “Association of Stroke at Young Age With New Cancer in the Years After Stroke Among Patients in the Netherlands” was published in JAMA Network Open.
Stroke may be an indicator of cancer risk in later life. Based on research, Stroke may be a first manifestation of an occult cancer. There needs to be more data for younger adults.

The researchers investigated whether there is an association between Stroke and the diagnosis of new cancer diagnosis after a first stroke for younger and older patients. The primary outcome measured was the cumulative incidence of first-ever cancer after index stroke.
The study could be summarised as follows:
There were 27 616 patients of median age, 44.5 years, including 50.4 % women. 81.9 % had ischemic Stroke.
Three hundred sixty-two thousand seven hundred eighty-two patients of median age, 75.8 years, 50.1% women,84.8% had ischemic Stroke.
The cumulative incidence of new cancer at ten years among patients aged 15-49 years and 0 years and older was 3.7% and 8.5%, respectively.
At age 15-49, the cumulative incidence of new cancer after stroke was higher among women than men.
Among those aged 50 years or older, the cumulative incidence of new cancer after stroke was higher among men.
Those aged 15 to 49 were more likely to receive a new cancer diagnosis after an ischemic stroke, with a standardized incidence ratio [SIR] of 2.6.
For those aged 50 years or older, the SIR was 1.2
Based on the findings of our study, cancer incidence is higher among the younger group, they said.
Concluding, they said patients aged 15 to 49 years with stroke history had 3- to 5-fold increased risk of cancer in the first year following the Stroke. The risk is only slightly elevated for patients aged 50 years or older.
Further reading:
Verhoeven JI, Fan B, Broeders MJM, et al. Association of Stroke at Young Age With New Cancer in the Years After Stroke Among Patients in the Netherlands. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(3):e235002. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.5002